Profootballtalk.com reports Browns co-owner Dee Haslam went "nuclear" on the team's front office after it nixed Tuesday's failed A.J. McCarron trade.Based on a collection of national and local reports on the topic, it appears as if Browns ownership has taken the side of Hue Jackson over the front office. Jackson spent time with McCarron in Cincinnati and was the driving force behind Tuesday's trade talks. Multiple reports also indicate the front office -- known to be at odds with Jackson -- was the driving force behind the trade not going through. Ownership will ultimately decide the front office's fate. At present, it's not looking good for Sashi Brown, Paul DePodesta, and company. Jackson appears to have won the power struggle, for better or (more likely) worse.

That says that Haslam has taken Hue's side and the FO sabotaged the trade. The moneyball people should be nervous.

_________________"Golf and sex are about the only things you can enjoy without being good at." - Jimmy Demaret

But the most absurd thing about all this is CLE has a ton of cap space - why would an 0-8 team be trading draft picks for unproven back-ups when Alex Smith and Kirk Cousins are FA's this year?

Because no QB in his right mind would go to Cleveland unless he's forced to? Also, the coaching staff and FO are desperate for something that will save their jobs.

Honestly, though - The Redskins, Jets, and Broncos are all likely to be in the market for a new QB next year. The Saints and Cardinals could potentially be looking for a new one as well. Every single one of those options would be better than the Browns.

On the other hand, the Browns could structure the deal so that a lot of the money comes in the first year (so they can use a lot of the cap space) and then not have a huge contract on their books. Add in all of the picks the browns have a decent coach and front office would make that team great. Not sure about he front office but Hue Jackson is a terrible coach.

On the other hand, the Browns could structure the deal so that a lot of the money comes in the first year (so they can use a lot of the cap space) and then not have a huge contract on their books. Add in all of the picks the browns have a decent coach and front office would make that team great. Not sure about he front office but Hue Jackson is a terrible coach.

In less than 2 seasons, this front office:- Passed on Carson Wentz, stating he would not be a top-20 QB in the NFL- Passed on Deshaun Watson in the next draft, despite desperately needing a QB- Released Taylor Gabriel, despite having no WR depth- Signed Kenny Britt to a 4yr/ $32m contract- Traded for Brock Osweiler...and cut him preseason- Released Joe Haden without informing their coach, and he is now having a bounce-back season with a division rival- Botched a trade for AJ McCarron

On the other hand, the Browns could structure the deal so that a lot of the money comes in the first year (so they can use a lot of the cap space) and then not have a huge contract on their books. Add in all of the picks the browns have a decent coach and front office would make that team great. Not sure about he front office but Hue Jackson is a terrible coach.

In less than 2 seasons, this front office:- Passed on Carson Wentz, stating he would not be a top-20 QB in the NFL- Passed on Deshaun Watson in the next draft, despite desperately needing a QB- Released Taylor Gabriel, despite having no WR depth- Signed Kenny Britt to a 4yr/ $32m contract- Traded for Brock Osweiler...and cut him preseason- Released Joe Haden without informing their coach, and he is now having a bounce-back season with a division rival- Botched a trade for AJ McCarron

To be fair, the Browns essentially took Osweiler from the Texans for no other reason than because the Texans gave them a 2nd rounder to take Osweiler's contract off their books. That was actually a fairly savvy move, considering the cap room they had/have. They now have 5 picks in the top 2 rounds for 2018.

On the other hand, the Browns could structure the deal so that a lot of the money comes in the first year (so they can use a lot of the cap space) and then not have a huge contract on their books. Add in all of the picks the browns have a decent coach and front office would make that team great. Not sure about he front office but Hue Jackson is a terrible coach.

In less than 2 seasons, this front office:- Passed on Carson Wentz, stating he would not be a top-20 QB in the NFL- Passed on Deshaun Watson in the next draft, despite desperately needing a QB- Released Taylor Gabriel, despite having no WR depth- Signed Kenny Britt to a 4yr/ $32m contract- Traded for Brock Osweiler...and cut him preseason- Released Joe Haden without informing their coach, and he is now having a bounce-back season with a division rival- Botched a trade for AJ McCarron

It seems like they intentionally botched the trade. It was a bad deal for Cleveland so if intentional that’s good hustle. I get it with Watson, but they got a shit ton for Wentz who lets face it was a huge boom bust prospect given level of competition.

To be fair, the Browns essentially took Osweiler from the Texans for no other reason than because the Texans gave them a 2nd rounder to take Osweiler's contract off their books. That was actually a fairly savvy move, considering the cap room they had/have. They now have 5 picks in the top 2 rounds for 2018.

Yes, THAT was a brilliant move essentially using cap to buy an R2.

But turning around and trying to move that and an R3 for McCarron is why CLE keeps stepping on their dick despite having all these draft picks.